Masonic Notes.

were founded , and now the Province contains 21 lodges , to say nothing of its Royal Arch chapters , Mark lodges , & c . The death of so venerable a brother is , as we have said , a great loss , and will be felt as such by all Hertfordshire Masons .

# # # We are glad to hear thatthe position of Freemasonry in the State of Louisiana is far more hopeful just now than it has been for some time past . Of the 247 lodges which have at different times been warranted , only 118

remain on the roll , but the statistical reports made at the annual meeting held in New Orleans in February last show a total membership ot 4590 , and a fairly good financial position . Bro . Charles F . Buck was re-elected Grand Master for the ensuing 12 months , and Bro . Richard Lambert Grand Secretary .

* * Masonry appears to be in a flourishing state in Florida . The latest statistics show a muster-roll of 129 lodges and an aggregate membership of 3910 , while the receipts of Grand Lodge during the past

year exceeded the disbursements by about !? 900 . At the annual meeting in Jacksonville on the ipth-2 ist January last , at which no less than JOS lodges were represented , Bro . Angus Paterson was re-elected Grand Master , and Bro . de WittC Dawkins Grand Secretary .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

t We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

LODGE RETURNS . To the Editor 0 / the "Freemason . '' Dear Sir and Brother , In the month of March in each year Secretaries of Masonic lodges are furnished with a printed form , to be filled in , signed by the Master and Secretary oi the lodge , and transmitted to the Clerk of the Peace of

the county in which the lodge is situated before the 25 th of March . The form is prescribed by 39 Geo . III ., cap . 79 . May I ask , is there any penalty attaching to the non-compliance with this instruction ? or any inconvenience arising from its non-observance ? I enclose my card . —Yours fraternally , June Sth . K .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

FREEMASONRY IN SHROPSHIRE . Bro . Alexander Graham ( barrister-at-law , Shrewsbury ) is the author of "A History of Freemasonry in the Province of Shropshire and of the Salopian Lodge , 2 G 2 , " and , though his first attempt of the kind , he has succeeded in doing full justice to the subject , and has written one of the best Masonic histories extant . Considering the paucity of materials and difficulties peculiar to the province , Bro .

Graham may be heartily and most sincerely congratulated on the publication of his able and handsomely got up volume , which undoubtedly is a credit , both Masonically and typographically , to all concerned . The obscurity " that wraps up as with a veil " the history of the Craft in Shropshire during the last century , extends also to the first half of the present century , though not to such an extent , but fortunately Bro . Graham's lodge , No . 2 G 2 , throws a brilliant

light where otherwise darkness would reign supreme ; the records of that lodge being in evidence from 178 S , and those of other lodges are also made use of so as to present a full account of tie local Craft for over 100 years . Shropshire is one of the o'dest provinces in England , dating , as it does , from the year 1731 . As the author points out in this very interesting volume , it is a question how far a Provincial Grand Lodge was really formed , according to modern

notions cither at this period or later on in 1774 , when Bro . George Durant was appointed to that office , about whom several curious particuls rs are duly noted . It appears to us that Bro . Graham has established his claim that Sir Robert de Cornwall , Bart ., should also be included in the roll of Provincial Grand Masters for his province , though his name only occurs for North Wales in the official Grand Lodge Calendar ; not that he did much as a provincial ruler , but

clearly that dignitary held office foe and in several provinces , including Salop . The work includes complete histories , as far as attainable , of all the present and extinct lodges in the county based upon official documents or from official sources , and conflicting testimony has been carefully sifted by the author and harmonised as far as possible , so that the history is reliable and exhaustive , according as circumstances have permitted . Bro . Graham very

gracefully alludes to the help he received in the compilation of the volume from Bros . Hughan and Sadler , and especially to Bro . Hughan for " the introduction he has so kindl y written , and which adds greatly to the value of my book , and will , 1 am sure , be much appreciated . " Bro . Hughan's duty as thu author of the introduction was not an easy one , seeing that Bro . Graham , as he says , " has managed to obtain so many facts concerning Freemasonry in Shropshire , and , moreover , has arranged them so well , that he

has left nothing to be done . " As a matter of fact , however , it will be seen that the veteran Masonic writer has contrived to introduce a number of interesting particulars into his portion of the volume . Only a few copies remain for silc at twelve shillings and sixpence each , say a dozen , owing to the small edition being so rapidly subscribed for . The members of Bro . Graham ' s province are much indebted to their able historian , and will be pleased to possess a capital portrait of their esteemed Prov . G . M ., being the frontispiece to the I Iistory .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

^ Mg ^ gg

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Lodge Of Amity ( No . 171 ) . —The installation meeting of this old centenary lodge , originally consecrated and held at Holy well-road , Shoreditch , was held on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , under the presidency of Bro . Frederick George Sison Ham , the Master . The work before the lodge was heavy , there being four

passings and three initiations to be performed , besides other business which necessitated discussion . The W . M . was well supported both by members and visitors . Among the former were Bros . Major Francis W . Frigout , I . P . M . ; E . L . Goodinge , P . M ., Treas . ; J . R . Tannahill , P . M ., Sec . ; Thomas Loring , P . M . ; A . A . Frigout , P . M . ; and E . Wendover , P . M . Amonjr . the visitors were Bros . Fredk .

Carr , P . M . 1607 ; W . E . Wild , 11 S 5 ; Edwin George , P . M . 1483 ; A . H . Carter , 144 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; C . H . Cox , I . P . M . 1 S 39 ; A . J . Neale , 228 ; Arthur W . Rolfe , 2147 ; F . W . Stephens , J . D . 134 S ; C . M . Syder , P . M . 79 ; H . T . Thompson , P . M . 742 ; Robert J . Harris , P . M . 1135 ; H . A . Boundon , P . M . 171 S ; W . J . Newell , P . M . 73 ; Fred . Hunter , 1 S 79 ; G .

Hayward , 936 ; F . Sadler Wood , P . M . 2029 ; G . B . Carlton , 1297 ; and Vivian Orchard , P . M . 79 . The Worshipful Master , with the assistance of accomplished Deacons and Past Masters , passed Bros . A . VV . Graves , John Banks , H . L . Barfoot , and William Crawford , and after ballot duly and successfully taken , initiated Dr . Frederick lohn Smith , Dr . William Henry Gimblett ,

and Mr . David Daniel Dennis . Bro . David Keith Caithness , 299 ( S . C . ) , was elected a joining member . On the motion of Bro . Major F . W . Frigout , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Thomas Lorinsr , P . M ., a Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Ham , W . M ., and presented to him by Bro . Major Frigout . After some discussion , the brethren , on the motion of Bro . Wheeler Brown , W . M . elect , resolved

unanimously to take the steps required by the Book of Constitutions for the removal of the lodge to a more central position than its present habitation , the personnel oi the lodge having materially changed , and a large majority of the members not being resident in the locality . The Worshipful Master afterwards installed Bro . Dr . F . Wheeler Brown as W . M . The following is a list of his officers for

the year : Bros . F . G . S . Ham , I . P . M . ; G . P . Carter , S . W . ; H . G . Harper , J . W . j G . T . Goodinge , P . M ., Treas . ; Thomas Loring , P . M ., Sec ; N . J . Stanger , S . D . ; J . W . Taylor , J . D . ; C . O . Pook , LG . ; Sidney Stanger , D . C ; A . A . Frigout , P . M ., Steward ; E . L . Pembroke , Hon . Org . ; and R . A . Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . The brethren afterwards most cordially elected Bro . J oseph

Clever , P . M ., who had removed to Brighton , an honorary member of the lodge . There being no other business before the brethren , the lodge was closed , and the labours of the evening were succeeded by one of those pretty banquets for which the

Ship management is famous . The usual toasts followed . The W . M ., in a very few words proposed the first three toasts of the evening— ' * The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., " and "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Interspersed with these toasts were sung the National Anthem , by Bro . R . Harris ; "God bless the Prince of Wales , " by Bro . Thomas Loring , P . M . and Secretary ; and "The gallant Salamander , " by Bro . Harris , each of these productions being charmingly rendered by the executants , and winning rapturous applause . Bro . F . G . S . Ham . I . P . M ., proposed " The Worshipful

Master , " and in doing so said he was sure all the brethren would join with him in receiving the toast with enthusiasm . All the brethren had no doubt observed that Bro . Wheeler Brown was a go-a-head Master , for he had already brought into the lodge a large number of members —a larger number indeed than it had had for many years . The brethren must wish success to such a Master , and

thank him for increasing their numbers . He hoped that the year of Bro . Wheeler Brown would be a great success . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said five years ago he was initiated in the Lodge of Amity , and he little thought then that it would be his good fortune to be in the chair of the lodge so soon . He could consider himself but a boy in Masonry , but at the same time he was going to try to do

the best he could for the lodge . He had already introduced into the lodge a few of his friends , and he had still some more who wanted to come in , but they were holding back for the simple reason that the meeting place was so far away from the centre of London in which they lived . It was his wish and anxiety to move the lodge to a more central position , because he believed his friends would come

and make the lodge very strong indeed . He felt that it would be a disgrace if they did not try and make this very old lodge , the members of which wore a centenary jewel , larger in numbers than it was now . At the same time it was their duty to raise the tone of the lodge . He was very much obliged to the brethren for the kind way in which they had drunk his health .

The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Initiates , " without whom any lodge would have to die of inanition . During the present year the Amity Lodge had had a good sprinkling of initiates , and from what the brethren had heard that night in the lodge , they would see there were more to come . He could assure the initiates there was nothing to prevent their getting on in Masonry . If they

wanted to occupy the position he now occupied they could easily do so , and he hoped they would try to do so . Each of the Initiates responded . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Visitors , " and coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Frederick

Carr , 1007 , and Sadler Wood . Bro . Carr stated , in reply , that he had thoroughly enjoyed himself . 1 le had taken some little interest in Freemasonry , and it had been a great pleasure to him to find the Amity Lodge had such a W . M . as it had that evening . lie knew of no man more capable of doing the work of Masonry

Craft Masonry.

than Bro . Wheeler Brown . He hoped the brethren would keep the W . M . well employed during his year of office , and at the end of his term the-brethren wouldbe grateful to him as the W . M . of the lodge and as the presiding officer at th » table . Bro . Sadler Wood said it was not the first time he had had the pleasure and privilege of responding in that lodge on hp

half of the visitors . That evening the visitors had had a great treat in lodge , and a more congenial treat at the banquet table . But there were other things to be considered . In days gone by perhaps the lodge was not always prosperous but the present W . M . and other indefatigable members had raised it to prosperity , and from what he saw of it it seemed to be going on in such a way that there would be no difficulty in obtaining the approval of the Grand Master to a

removal of its meeting place . He hoped the lodge would be successful , and in that sentiment he was sure he had the hearty wishes of all the visitors . The W . M . proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and said he intended during his year to go up as Steward for the Old People . He trusted the brethren would enable him to take up a good list , and as the Festival did not take place till next February there was plenty of time for them to do so .

The W . M . next gave " The Installing Master and the Past Masters , " to which Bros . Sison Ham , I . P . M ., and Major Frigout responded . The latter brother , in the course of his observations , said that as an old member of the lod ge of 10 years' standing , he thought he might take credit during his membership of feeling some interest in the lodo- e and of having done something for it . He was exceedingly

glad to find that they had had , and were likely to have many recruits ; but with all deference and humility , he would remind members of this lodge and of other lodges of a remark made by the late Grand Secretary , who said : " desire to see Masonry flourish , but I would impress upon the members of private lodges to be very careful about the selection of members , " and he went on to say that Masonry

was not a community like the Oddfellows and Foresters , and that Masons ought to be careful , when they elected members , to make due enquiries . When he first became a member of the Amity Lodge it was increasing rapidly , but it afterwards more rapidly decreased . He did not think it would do so in the future . Bro . Thomas Loring , P . M ., Secretary , replied to the

toast of The I reasurer and Secretary in the absence of the Treasurer . Hesaidhedid not accept . the collarof Secretary without pressure and due consideration . He hoped the members would assist him in carrying out his duties , and he would endeavour to the utmost to give satisfaction . He looked round to the Past Masters in case he should need help , but it should not be his fault if a single thing was

neglected . Bros . Pook , I . G ., and Pembroke , Org ., replied to the toast of " The Officers , " and the Tyler's toast closed a charming evening's entertainment . The singing and recitations were given by Bros . F . Stephens , Neale , R . Harris , Charles Randolf , and Thomas Loring , P . M ., and displayed some excellent bass and tenor voices , which were highly appreciated .

John Hervey Lodge ( No . 1260 ) . —The June meeting of this lodge was held on the Sth instant at Freemasons' Hall . Present : Bros . Walter C Fox , W . M . j Walter F . Potter , I . P . M . ; F . Varley , S . W . ; E . G . Pack , man , J . W . ; J . Brockett Sorrell , P . M ., Treas . ; J . R . Reep , Sec . ; James Evans , S . D . ; G . Collins , Asst . Org . ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Major I . Heaton , P . M . ;

S . H . Baker , P . M . ; F . Dangerfield , P . M . ; Serre , Charlton , and a large number of brethren and visitors . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . presented Bro . W . F . Potter , the I . P . M ., with the Past Master ' s jewel , he having been unavoidably absent on the installation meeting . Bro . Serre was then passed to the Second Degree , and Mr . T . Charlton was afterwards duly initiated , the ceremonies in each case

being ably rendered by the W . M . in a very impressive manner . After some further business had been transacted , the W . M . rose , and , in tones of deep emotion , referred to the sudden death since the last meeting of Bro . Frank Tayler , C . C , P . M ., proposing at the same time a vote of condolence to the widow and family of the deceased . He said Bro . Taylor had endeared himself to all the

members of the lodge , and , in fact , to all who knew him , while his services in Freemasonry , and particularly to the lodge , would keep his memory green for a long time to come . Bro . Baker , P . M ., followed with some further remarks , stating that the late brother was one ot his oldest and closest friends , and a man whose loss would be widely felt and deeply deplored . Expressions

which received the sorrowful approval of all present , the Secretary being directed to convey to the widow the condolences of the lodge . After this mournful matter had been disposed of and a fitting interval had elapsed , the W . M . rose and referred to a matter of satisfaction to himself , and to what he felt would be also one of satisfaction to the lodee , viz . —the presentation to Bro . Dr . labez Hugffi

P . G . D ., of a testimonial on his retirement from the duties of the Treasureship of the lodge , services which he had ably and faithfull y ; rendered for nearly a quarter of a century . The testimonial took the form of a large anu massive silver salver , and the W . M ., in presenting it , r J the following inscription : " Presented to P . M . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., and one of the founders of the John * w 0 b , . . w . v . , u .,. 4 Ullb U . bill . . WU 1 IWI ..-J V . J t 01

, Hervey Lodge of Freemasons , No . 1260 , by the members the lodge , as a mark of their affectionate esteem for him and to testify their appreciation of the services rendered by him for so many years as the Treasurer of the loatfc Bro . Dr . Hogg , who was visibly touched by the kindly and fraternal remarks of the W . M ., then rose and said : VV . M . and Brethren—I am unable to find words to give

, expression to the sincere and heartfelt thanks I owe to y ° lor this further mark of your favour and affection , and you appreciation of any services 1 have endeavoured to renae to the John Hervey Lodge , and which have simply bee ™ that of a father to the child of his creation . It is true tnai those services hnve nmv exlpmlprl rivcr lllft neriod or 'H ,

hood ( 23 years ) during 21 of which I have by your £° , will filled the important post of Treasurer of the lodge , a the duties of which I have discharged to the best or ijj ability . To find I have given you satisfaction is '" " ¦ . a sufficient reward ; but even more , have they not a j ] at met with full acknowledgment ? The portrait hangs on the wall of the lodge testifies to the f a and regard heretofore extended to me by one an the brethren , and 1 ask you to permit the P